State Open Wrestling: Maxwell Leaves No Doubt

NEW HAVEN — — If there were any remaining questions about Southington's Zach Maxwell, they appear to be answered now.

The Southington senior backed up his Class LL championship with his second straight State Open title at 195 pounds on Saturday at the Floyd Little Athletic Center. Some questioned whether the senior would be ready for a grueling season on the mats after getting a late start because he helped the football team to a championship.

"Some were wondering if I'd be in good-enough condition to be in a full match or to have enough matches," Maxwell said. "I do my work in the wrestling room, and that's all that really matters."

A year ago, Maxwell used two late takedowns to upset Somers' Kyle Foster. But this time around, there was no such drama. Maxwell — The Courant's defensive player of the year in football — used an early takedown and escape to build a 3-0 lead, nearly pinning Simsbury's Jacob Feldman late in the third period. When it was all said and done, Maxwell won a 7-2 decision and took his spot among the state's best.

"He is a great wrestler; now we just have to focus in on next week," Southington coach Derek Dion said. "He has shown he is the top of the heap in the state at his weight class."

After finishing fifth at last season's New England championships, Maxwell is eyeing one more title.

"I've definitely made my point here in Connecticut, leaving as two-time [Open] champion," Maxwell said. "I'd definitely like to take New Englands, that's my goal. To be the first from Southington to do that would be awesome."

Maxwell's performance helped Southington take sixth overall with 85 points. Danbury its second straight title with 141 points, and New Milford was second with 114.5. Xavier was fourth (89), Simsbury seventh (80) and Windham eighth (72). The Blue Knights also sent Zach Bylykbashi to the 120 final, where he lost 1-0 to Danbury's Chris Bryant.

"Every single one of the six guys who came wrestled great," said Dion. "A couple of guys fell short of their goals, but they wrestled really tough."

One of the tightest matches of the two-day event came in the 220 final, where Glastonbury's Andrew Cavanna was upset by Trumbull's Andrew Marino. Cavanna, the top seed and the defending Open and New England champion, used a third-period escape to force overtime. However, No. 10 seed Marino managed two late escapes, stealing the crown from Cavanna in four overtimes.

The weight class' four top seeds all came from area teams and had a combined record of 107-5 this season. A late-third-period takedown of Williams, who dominated in the Class LL final a week ago, sealed Kilpatrick's second Open title in as many years.

"It feels just as great as last year, to have all the hard work pay off," said Kilpatrick.

Fellow ECC wrestler Dakota Fleming of Windham also captured an Open crown, using an early takedown to defeat Hand's Ben Onofrio, 3-1.

"I said last week [after winning a Class S title] there was no better feeling," said Fleming, also an ECC champion. "But there is: It's winning the Open."

One of last year's youngest champions returned to the finals and successfully defended his title. Khmari Thomas, a junior from Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby, won a 7-2 decision over John D'Agostino of Nonnewaug. As with all the title winners, the level of expectation has been raised heading into the New Englands in Providence.

"I know a couple guys who I might wrestle, so winning this just gets my confidence up," said Thomas. "None of them do what I do; I feel like I work harder than them in most aspects, so I'm really pushing for a New England title this year."